Little Black Stonefly is the common name used to describe a prolific late winter and early spring stonefly hatch that occurs on many trout streams in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Little Black Stoneflies are very small, generally a size #16 or #18. The hatch generally will occur sometime in January through March depending on how cold or mild the winter is that year.
The Little Black Stoneflies (also called Winter Snowflies) are part of the Capniidae family (probably Allocapnia granulata) and are the first stoneflies to appear each year. These tiny Winter stoneflies have anti-freeze compounds in their body fluids to help them stay active during the cold snowy months. They hatch by crawling out of the water to the snowy bank edges to hatch and become adults. Then crawl up onto the snow to look for safe places to hide from the cold elements until ready to mate, lay their eggs and die.
Tie up six little black stoneflies, dry or nymph, and bring them to the next chapter meeting on Thursday, February 9th. There will be two raffles for the flies.
